This hike makes a nice, moderately difficult loop within Chino Hills State Park. The hike begins at a trailhead in a Yorba Linda neighborhood at the corner of Rimcrest Drive and Blue Gum Drive. This is a popular trailhead, despite the fact that it is not the official entrance into the park. Until recently, there was a welcome sign at this trailhead, but with the opening of the new visitors center in Brea, it appears as if the California State Parks are trying to encourage people to use the official entrance into the park instead of this side entrance.

[flickr id=”6157839300″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”left”] From the trailhead, there are three possible paths to take. Running left to right is the South Ridge Trail and ahead is the Easy Street Trail. This route follows the South Ridge Trail to the left and returns on the Easy Street Trail. A shorter and less strenuous loop can be found by following South Ridge Trail to the right. This other loop will be mapped in a future post.

South Ridge Trail runs the length of the park East to West. Since it does generally follow the ridge line, the trail is quite undulating. From the trailhead, South Ridge Trail heads uphill for two-tenths of a mile before starting some mild up and downs that are gradually downhill. There are several lookout spots along South Ridge Trail that will allow you easily see Catalina Island on a clear day (however, on a smoggy day like when I hike this route, you can’t even see the Big A.)

[flickr id=”6157301829″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”left”] Diemer Trail is a turnoff from South Ridge Trail. Diemer Trail is approximately 1.3 miles from the trailhead. Diemer Trail runs down the hillside between South Ridge Trail and Telegraph Canyon Trail at the base of the canyon through a series of broad switchbacks. As you head down the hill, the vegetation starts to become thicker and the wildlife more apparent.

At the base of the hill you come to Telegraph Canyon Trail, which runs in the canyon between North Ridge Trail and South Ridge Trail. Telegraph Canyon Trail is a wide, well maintained fire road that’s slightly uphill. Along the trail, there are a number of small stream crossings. Normally you can find a dry path along the edge of the trail, where the mountain bikers haven’t dug a rut, but a spare pair of socks would be a good precaution.

[flickr id=”6157321375″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”left”] The turnoff for Easy Street Trail is poorly marked and hard to see. If you don’t know to look for Easy Street, it would be easy to pass right by. Easy Street Trail is a very narrow single-track that is closed to bikes. Starting on this trail, you’ll have to navigate around a fallen tree and over through a slightly larger stream. There are some rocks in the stream, but depending on the amount of runoff when you go, they might be completely submerged. From the stream, you start to head up hill again through a narrow canyon. This is by far the nicest part of the hike.

This hike through Chino Hills State Park makes for a pleasant afternoon outing with the family. It’s not too strenuous and there is enough to see along the way so everyone will enjoy themselves. As with most hiking locations in Orange County, this is nicest in the spring when the hillsides are green. However, this makes a nice hike throughout the year.
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The Anaheim Hills Riding and Walking Trail makes a loop throughout the entire Weir Canyon Wilderness Park in Anaheim, California. This route is a moderately difficult hike and a hard trail run, but is considerably easier when done in the reverse direction. The trailhead is located behind an older neighborhood called Hidden Canyon, just off of Serrano Ave. in Anaheim Hills.

[flickr id=”6174454778″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”left”] From the trailhead, you head up a short hill to a “Y” in the trail. This route takes the left hand “Y”, but to do the trail in the reverse direction for an easier hike, simply take the right hand “Y”. From the “Y”, you continue climbing up to the ridge behind Anaheim Hills. There are parts of this climb that are quite steep and sandy, so finding footing can be difficult. At some points, it feels like you’re sliding backwards six inches for every step forward you take.

Once you hit the top of the ridge, the trail flattens out with some slight undulations. The trail skirts part of a neighborhood here, but you’ll quickly move past it and again feel like you’re in nature. From the top of this ridge line, you’ll get great views overlooking Anaheim Hills and Yorba Linda to the left, and a giant expanse of wilderness that connects to the wilderness parks of south county to the right.

[flickr id=”6173931935″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”right”] As you move further along the ridge line, you’ll come to another “Y” in the road. Going left, you’ll see a very steep single-track trail going to the top of a little peak. To the right, the main trail continues around the peak and on to the rest of the route. On a clear day, the peak offers superb 360 degree views of the area but you’ll have to backtrack down the single-track to get back to the main trail.

As you come around the peak, you’ll find a third “Y” in the trail. If you head downhill to the right, you’ll be on a trail called Deer Weed Trail, which connects backs down to the lower part of the Anaheim Hills Riding and Walking Trail. If you want a slightly shorter route you can take Deer Weed Trail, but you’ll miss some of the nicer parts of the Anaheim Hills Riding and Walking Trail.

[flickr id=”6173929467″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”left”] The trail continues just down hill from the ridge line until it runs into another subdivision, at which point the trail makes a ninety degree turn to the right and heads fairly steeply downhill. All of that elevation gained at the beginning of the hike is lost in one fell swoop.

At the bottom of the long, strait section of trail, you’ll make another right and start heading back towards the trailhead along this lower section of the trail. The lower half of the loop stays on the hill side, never quite reaching the valley floor below. Eventually, all of the land at the bottom of the hill will be made open to the public, but currently no trails have been established in the area.

[flickr id=”6173939535″ thumbnail=”small” overlay=”false” size=”medium” group=”” align=”right”] The lower part of the loop follows the contours of the hill side, undulating slightly. At one point, there is a small stream crossing that’s more mud than running water and is easy to hop across.

With the exception of where Deer Weed Trail rejoins the main route, there are no more “Y”s until you’re nearly back to the trailhead. Just as you’re cresting the final little hill, just before when you turned off for the first “Y”, there will be a trail to the left. This trail takes you west towards Santiago Oaks Regional Park and from there has trails that connect throughout the county.

The Anaheim Hills Riding and Walking Trail provides a quick getaway for those in Anaheim, Orange and the surrounding communities. The Weir Canyon Wilderness Park isn’t too expansive yet, but as more trails are developed further into the Irvine Ranch lands, this park and trail will become increasingly popular. As it is right now, it’s only frequented by locals and is relatively unknown. If you’re looking for a local trail to get away from the crowds, this is it.